Yeah honestly. And what a snipe. Looks like he's playing with Henrique go figure it works out
- 668710

Just thinking back when he first made his debut, he was so much more electric. I kind of think they beat him up for so long that he'd never figure it out here even if given a chance with Sid or Geno. Sullivan better hope he doesn't start stacking points for the Ducks. He'll look like a total idiot.

LOL....Sprong scores a sweet goal on his first shot....second shift.
- madmike71

Now, let's be fair, if that goal was given up by Matt Murray, people on this site would be killing him now. That was a bad goal by Crawford.

Now, let's be fair, if that goal was given up by Matt Murray, people on this site would be killing him now. That was a bad goal by Crawford.
- stevens87

Most goals that hit back bad aren’t considered bad goals in my opinion, especially when it comes off that kind of release

Most goals that hit back bad aren’t considered bad goals in my opinion, especially when it comes off that kind of release
- WSCTeton17

But is doesn't matter it is all in a person's perspective in who they like and dislike. The people who say that was a good goal will be the same people killing the Pens' goalie tomorrow if that is the game winner in OT. A bad angle shot not covering the top of the net.

Now, let's be fair, if that goal was given up by Matt Murray, people on this site would be killing him now. That was a bad goal by Crawford.
- stevens87

I don't know... Yeah, if Crawford is standing up there wouldn't have been any space. Still, not a lot of space at a tough angle. That was a snipe. We've seen Sid scores those type of goals and nobody mentions the poor goalie play.

I don't know... Yeah, if Crawford is standing up there wouldn't have been any space. Still, not a lot of space at a tough angle. That was a snipe. We've seen Sid scores those type of goals and nobody mentions the poor goalie play.
- madmike71

But like I said above, if Matt Murray or any Pens' goalie gave up that as a game winner in OT, this site would be going nuts rights. That's the biggest point.

Taylor Haase (DK's site) has a nice little write up on Hallander. Hope we don't trade this kid.
- madmike71

For never having draft picks, there's actually a fair amount of players in the system I think will be regular NHL-ers. It will take a few years though.

Hallander
Bellerive
Militec
Pavlychev
Addison
Bjorkqvist
Almeida

But like I said above, if Matt Murray or any Pens' goalie gave up that as a game winner in OT, this site would be going nuts rights. That's the biggest point.
- stevens87

I don't understand what MM has to do with this. We're commenting on a player that everybody feels wasn't given a chance by the coach. Then he goes out and snipes his first shot. His other shifts have looked pretty good too. He just unleashed a slap shot that was a rocket. I guarantee you we didn't see that kind of velocity in Pittsburgh.

But is doesn't matter it is all in a person's perspective in who they like and dislike. The people who say that was a good goal will be the same people killing the Pens' goalie tomorrow if that is the game winner in OT. A bad angle shot not covering the top of the net.
- stevens87

It was a bad goal to give up but it was an absolute snipe by Sprong. It can be both.

But like I said above, if Matt Murray or any Pens' goalie gave up that as a game winner in OT, this site would be going nuts rights. That's the biggest point.
- stevens87

I... think you're reaching here. That goal absolutely nothing to do with Matt Murray.

I don't know... Yeah, if Crawford is standing up there wouldn't have been any space. Still, not a lot of space at a tough angle. That was a snipe. We've seen Sid scores those type of goals and nobody mentions the poor goalie play.
- madmike71

Exactly.

Exactly.
- j.boyd919

It's obviously early....but I'm starting to get that sickening feeling we traded a pretty good player. He's moving much better in this game. Finding soft spots. Making good decisions. Only part of one game of course, but we didn't see this version of him.

How Sprong never got a shot with even just Brass is mind boggling.

It's obviously early....but I'm starting to get that sickening feeling we traded a pretty good player. He's moving much better in this game. Finding soft spots. Making good decisions. Only part of one game of course, but we didn't see this version of him.
- madmike71

We didn't see this version of him because he didn't play with other players that could create time and space to allow him to find those soft spots. He played with Sheahan and Cullen. Those guys are straight line, dump and chase guys, Sprong was just never really put in the position to succeed.

For never having draft picks, there's actually a fair amount of players in the system I think will be regular NHL-ers. It will take a few years though.

Hallander
Bellerive
Militec
Pavlychev
Addison
Bjorkqvist
Almeida
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Who?

We didn't see this version of him because he didn't play with other players that could create time and space to allow him to find those soft spots. He played with Sheahan and Cullen. Those guys are straight line, dump and chase guys, Sprong was just never really put in the position to succeed.
- j.boyd919

While that's true, I also think he was skating on eggshells and playing scared. Even the slightest mistake got him stapled to the bench.

While that's true, I also think he was skating on eggshells and playing scared. Even the slightest mistake got him stapled to the bench.
- madmike71

Yep. Definitely agree with that too.

I don't understand what MM has to do with this. We're commenting on a player that everybody feels wasn't given a chance by the coach. Then he goes out and snipes his first shot. His other shifts have looked pretty good too. He just unleashed a slap shot that was a rocket. I guarantee you we didn't see that kind of velocity in Pittsburgh.
- madmike71

My whole point was that was terrible goal given up by Crawford and should have been stopped. I think that's fair.

While that's true, I also think he was skating on eggshells and playing scared. Even the slightest mistake got him stapled to the bench.
- madmike71

Yup. Without exaggeration, he wasn’t allowed to make mistakes. He would make one mistake and get benched for the rest of the game.

I’m starting to have major questions about Sullivan.

Yup. Without exaggeration, he wasn’t allowed to make mistakes. He would make one mistake and get benched for the rest of the game.

I’m starting to have major questions about Sullivan.
- Rinosaur

Bring Mike Johnson back!

Sprong even played in the 3rd period. Will need extra time in the sauna with the extra minutes.

I'm up in Canada the last few days, and a few of my coworkers were talking that a few radio stations were talking about Winnipeg Jets having some interest in Brassard. The radio station discussed Pens have been scouting Winnipeg with multiple scouts. Players they felt were were interested in/scouting: Perreault, Little, Myers, Lowry, and Petan. They didn't say too many details or speculate on if they would package players for him or do a one for one. Just that there are players the Penguins could be scouting and that they may be looking for a center to replace what Stastny brought to the team and feel Brassard could be that center (especially for the playoffs).

Problem with the Pens is "going for it" every year

Every 3rd or 4th year should be viewed as a "1 year re-tool"

-Keep your 1st round pick
-Trade any valuable expiring contracts for prospects of more picks
-Hit the offseason with capspace and change up the flavor of the team

With this roster, you'd still make the playoffs, probably as the 6th or 7th seed, maybe you catch fire, probably get bounced in the 1st or 2nd round but the ends justify the means over a large enough timeline

This way, in theory, you can have a constant influx of hungry youth on cheap contracts, (Like we had in 15/16, 16/17) you get assets for the guys you trade away and add FA pieces at no cost

"Going for it" every year is bad strategy - it gets us where we are today with a roster full of guys getting paid "retail" (minus Malkin/Crosby), no youth, no sign of youth, and a bunch of guys due for pay increases (Jake, Brass if we want to keep him)

Outlook does not look good

Personally, I'd wash this season, Trade Brass, Trade Kessel if there's a deal around youth and picks out there, Trade Maatta, Trade Horny. If the combo of these players could net 2 1sts, 2 2nds and 2 good prospects along with our own 2018 1st we'd be sitting in a nice spot sooner than later with young cheap players in the pipeline and $$$ to spend in Free Agency this summer and next
- RoloTahmasee

Agreed only problem is the gm is 90 and could go any minute so hes all in. Not having a plan in place to have botteril take over by mario n burkle is going to turn this team into the blackhawks.

Sprong with a snipe last night. What a joke

I'm up in Canada the last few days, and a few of my coworkers were talking that a few radio stations were talking about Winnipeg Jets having some interest in Brassard. The radio station discussed Pens have been scouting Winnipeg with multiple scouts. Players they felt were were interested in/scouting: Perreault, Little, Myers, Lowry, and Petan. They didn't say too many details or speculate on if they would package players for him or do a one for one. Just that there are players the Penguins could be scouting and that they may be looking for a center to replace what Stastny brought to the team and feel Brassard could be that center (especially for the playoffs).
- 123Kid

In terms of want I rank them

Lowry
Perreault
Little
Petan
Myers

We knew Sprong was getting traded when he played his best game with the 4th line, gave Sheahan two easy goals that he couldnt convert and next game was a scratch.

There was also that game he played one shift with Malkin where he was on fire and made a nice assist and next game back to the fourth line.

Meanwhile Rust that has been called out by the GM himself and has like 1 goal all season plays with Sid every other game to "get going".

I don't know what Sprong did to Sully but it sure was frustrating to see the end of his time here.